stubby wrote:I learned regular math, but this common core image you just posted is pretty close to how I do it in my head.

You can do it, but can elementary and kindergarten students?

Dunno, I'd ask a teacher. What I'm saying is that I can do regular math, but I automatically do whatever this thing is that you just pictured. I don't know or care about common core, but this looks to me like the way the brain does math naturally.

Colette wrote:But the UN is even more ineffective as Democracy.Without the proper motivation (99.99% of the time), like, say, North Korea nuking California, does the UN ever get anything useful done.

That's by design, I'm pretty sure. I don't think anyone would be happy with an activist UN that was able to stick its fingers into everything without significant motivation first. The UN is a response to WWII and the Cold War, remember; it's designed first and foremost to prevent action. When nothing "useful" gets done, it's succeeding in its mission.

This is a major design element in all successful democracies - keeping the wheels of government from spinning out of control. It's always about the checks and balances.

Natalya wrote:What's that? I can't hear you over the sound of how banned you are.

Communism would be pretty cool if we could get everyone into little settlements of a few hundred and restart civilization there but that will never happen so I'll just rant about capitalism and America from my chinese smartphone while eating my 99 cents hamburger.

I took a class on international law. Stubby is right about the UN intentionally having limited powers. The problem with giving the UN more authority is that not many countries really want to surrender their sovereignty so other people can meddle with their affairs. The UN also exists as a forum for countries to talk about problems and work together, so it brings about greater cooperation between countries.

The UN is a global Der Congress Tanzt. What does that many nationalities, religions, and political beliefs, countries that have been fighting since the dawn of man, locked in a room and expected to be good little Boys and Girls accomplish other than sprawling hand-throwing, argument, 50-year sprees of booty bothered-ness?

When the UN finally comes to a conclusion, it is too little too late. It's as ineffective as the US government, and should be dissolved.

On other, UN-related topic, the UN has very interesting beliefs on Gun control, national elections, etc. Suffice to say, it's a breeding ground for fools, booty bothered, and international tyranny.

Tzan wrote:

Vami_IV wrote:Rules:You must use only medieval pieces.

The Lego briks must have been manufactured between the 5th to the 15th century.